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RacismandMicroaggressions-Slides4.pdf
IMPACT INSTITUTE 2020
Racism and Microaggressions
August 6, 2020
Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion
Land Acknowledgement
Centennial College is proud to be a part of a rich history of education in
this province and in Toronto. We acknowledge that we are on the treaty
lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and pay
tribute to their legacy and the legacy of all First Peoples of Canada, as
we strengthen ties with the communities we serve and build the future through learning and through our graduates. We honour and pay tribute to
their citizens and ancestors for the spirit and energy that allows for
Centennial College to provide the educational opportunity for all their
relations. The Mississauga Nation has a strong story about their heritage and
history. Like them, we are a nation of stories, and these stories are our legacy.
Today the traditional meeting place of Toronto is still home to
many Indigenous People from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to
have the opportunity to work in the communities that have grown in the
treaty lands of the Mississaugas. We acknowledge that we are all treaty people and accept our responsibility to honour all our relations.
Community Guidelines
▪ Be kind and respectful
▪ Create a brave space
▪ Open and empathetic mind
▪ Seek support
Today’s Agenda
▪ Framework: Anti-Oppression Tree
▪ Context: Systemic Racism in Canada
▪ Key Concepts: W hat are Microaggressions?
▪ Interventions: How to Respond
▪ Resources: Student Supports
THE ROOTS - SYSTEMIC/STRUCTURAL Historical; Less visible; Collective; Difficult to change
THE TRUNK - INSTITUTIONAL
THE BRANCHES - INTERPERSONAL Present; Visible; Individual; Overt; More
accessible to personal experience; Reversible; Easier to change
Attitudes; Stereotypes; Mistreatment; Jokes; Slurs;
Microaggressions; Visible symbols
Practices; Policies; Values; Norms; Media; Language; Education; Laws &
Legal System
Colonialism; Capitalism; Racism; Anti- Black Racism; Ableism; Sexism;
Heterosexism
Anti-Oppression Framework
"Not in Canada?"
▪ 1628 - 1800s: 3,000 people of African ancestry who were
enslaved in the United States were brought to Canada and
forced to live here in slavery. The Slavery Abolition Act didn’t
officially become law in Canada until 1834
▪ 1886 - 1996: 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were
taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools.
The trauma of residential schools and the ’60s Scoop (removal
through child welfare system) is still being felt today.
▪ 1881 - 1884: 17,000 Chinese labourers came to work on the
Canadian Pacific Railway. Many died during the construction.
Upon completion, Canada introduced a “head tax” that applied
only to Chinese immigrants. After collecting $23 million through
the head tax between 1885 and 1923, Canada closed the door to
Chinese immigrants until 1947.
▪ 1939: Canada turned away the MS St. Louis, an ocean liner
carrying 907 Jewish refugees. Forced back to Europe, 254 of the
passengers later died in the Holocaust.
▪ WWII: the Canadian government forced 20,000 Japanese people
— 75 per cent of them Canadian citizens — into internment
camps.
SOURCE: "Yes, there is systemic racism in Canada – our history is filled with it" (Estrada, 2020)
Systemic Racism in Canada
• Employment: Employers in Toronto and Montreal were 40% more likely to interview a job applicant with an English-sounding name than someone with an ethnic name, even if both candidates had similar qualifications and experience.
• Income disparity: First-generation Black Canadians make an average income of nearly $37,000, compared to an average income of $50,000 for new immigrants who are not members of a visible minority.
• Incarceration: Indigenous adults account for 26% of admissions to correctional facilities despite representing only 3% of the adult population in Canada
• Hate crime: In 2018, Black Canadians were more likely than any other racial group in Canada to be the victims of a hate crime, according to data reported by police.
“Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal,
and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether
intentional or unintentional, which communicate
hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target
persons based solely upon their marginalized group
membership.” - Derald Wing Sue
Types of Microaggressions
1. Microassaults: Conscious and intentional discriminatory actions
2. Microinsults: Verbal, nonverbal, and environmental communications that subtly convey rudeness and insensitivity that demean a person's identity
3. Microinvalidations: Communications that subtly exclude, negate or nullify the thoughts, feelings or experiential reality of a person from marginalized communities
Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life
Where are you from?
Is this a microaggression?
1. Go to Menti.com
2. Code: 45 06 97
3. Or use the QR Code
Impact vs. Intent
Pyramid of Hate
Bias Motivated Violence Murder, Rape, Assault, Terrorism,
Vandalism, Threats
Acts of Bias Bullying, Ridicule, Name-calling, Slurs,
Social Avoidance, Dehumanization,
Biased/belittling jokes
Genocide The act or intent to deliberately and systematically
annihilate an entire people
Discrimination Economic, Political, Educational, Employment,
Housing, Segregation, Criminal Justice
Disparities
Biased Attitudes Stereotyping, Insensitive Remarks,
Fear of Differences, Non-inclusive
Language, Microaggressions
Pyramid of Hate by Anti-Defamation League
...the cumulative impact of microaggressions
Case Studies
1. What is/are the microaggression(s) in this case study?
2. How would you respond?
CASE STUDY
A group of students are attending the annual Halloween party organized by CCSAI. During the event, your friend becomes visibly upset about the costume of another student. When you ask her what's wrong, she states, “My culture is not a costume” and immediately leaves the event. The student in question is wearing a sombrero (a stereotypical hat associated with Mexico) and holding a maraca. He overheard the conversation and says, “What’s her problem? It’s just a costume! Lighten up its Halloween!”
CASE STUDY
It's a hot day during the summer semester so you and your friend decide to sit outside for your lunch break. As you enjoy your food, your friend points out a student with a turban and states, "I don't know how they wear that every day. It must be so hot, especially in this weather" When you tell them that's a racist statement, their immediate response is: "I'm not racist. I have friends who wear turbans. I'm just saying it seems hot."
CASE STUDY
Due to COVID-19, the College decided to close. In a group text message with your friends, one of your friends sends this meme to everyone and simply texts, "hahaha."
What do you mean by
this joke?
So, are you saying that its
funny to say 'Kung Flu'?
How would you feel if you
were Chinese and you got
this meme?
I think this could be
offensive to Asian people.
CASE STUDY
Due to COVID-19, the College decided to close. In a group text message with your friends, one of your friends sends this meme to everyone and simply texts, "hahaha."
Responding to Microaggressions (When you offend someone)
❑ Apologize
❑ Don't be defensive
❑ Active listening
❑ Take responsibility
❑ Say 'thank you'
Responding to Microaggressions
CHALLENGE THE IDEA (NOT THE PERSON)
PICK YOUR BATTLES
HAVE COMPASSION FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Support for Students
❑ Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services
❑ Student Experience Office
❑ Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion
❑ Success Advisors
❑ Life Safety and Security Services
❑ Centennial College Student Association Inc. (CCSAI)
